Demountable drive

ABSTRACT

A container ( 40 ) has a movable internal load support, such as a deck platform ( 15 ), with a demountable motorised drive ( 10 ), and a transfer drive, such as a threaded shaft ( 16 ), mounted within a deck chassis, with shaft runners or travellers ( 17, 27 ) connected to a cable suspension ( 18, 22 ), in turn running over transfer pulleys ( 19 ), mounted upon the platform and an external support, such as a container frame.

This invention relates to so-called ‘demountable drives’, and isparticularly, but not exclusively, concerned with demountable drives fortransport and loading facilities.

As such it applies to movable load decks, support platforms, ramps orracks in containerised transport and storage.

An example is internal load and/or load deck manoeuvring, such as toadjust elevation, inclination or tilt, and relative disposition to otherelements or structures.

With appropriate provision, load packing and stacking can be undertaken,along with relocation of load supports to an unobtrusive rest or parkedposition, say to allow maximisation of internal load space.

A particular load instance is a road vehicle, which represents avaluable and vulnerable cargo—and one for which drive-on/off load decktilt and level adjustability is useful.

Whilst such facilities are desirable in bolstering operationalcapability, their configuration as permanent on-board installations hascost implications.

For example, drive motors themselves can cost several hundred pounds—yetare used only occasionally in (un)loading.

Motor service life, vulnerability to corrosion (on long sea voyage) andongoing maintenance, safety inspection and certification are other costconsiderations.

Taken over a container fleet, this represents a prohibitiveexpense—whether in original (OEM) build, or as a container conversion.

It would thus be desirable if a common (portable) drive motor, say basedat an (un)loading station, could be used over a fleet of containers.

Terminology—Demountable

The term ‘demountable’ embraces a facility for selective (dis)connectionor (dis)engagement and a certain mobility, for installation and removal,say, to allow temporary relocation to operate another facility.

Terminology—Drive

The term ‘drive’ is used herein to embrace diverse displacement facilityfor imparting movement—whether distinct from, or integrated with, apower source, whether, say, electrical, (electro)magnetic, pneumatic orhydraulic.

Generally, for powered or motorised facilities, a permanent on boardfacility represents an adverse cost and weight penalty—which canrepresent a significant proportion of total cost and weight—soinhibiting adoption and reducing payload.

Moreover, a fixed or permanent on-board drive installation is somewhatinflexible.

Hence the rationale of some mobile—desirably personallyportable—external power or rather drive or motor provision.

Terminology—Motor

The term ‘motor’ is used herein to embrace diverse (prime or secondarymover) actuator character, nature, configuration or provision—ie whetherrotary, arcuate or linear, continuous, intermittent, unidirectional,bi-directional or reversible.

A prime example is a rotary drive, such as electrical, hydraulic orpneumatic powered.

This allows a trailing umbilical feed from a remote power source to amobile station.

STATEMENT(S) OF INVENTION

According to the invention,

a movable load support platform or deck (15),

is configured for coupling to a demountable drive motor,

and incorporates a motion transfer drive.

According to another aspect of the invention,

a demountable drive,

is configured for a load support platform (15),

movable within a transport and storage container;

the drive comprising

a portable motor or actuator (11),

a detachable coupling (12, 14),

a drive transfer mechanism (16),

such as a screw shaft,

incorporated in the platform,

with support elements,

such as a cable and pulley array,

between platform and container.

In practice, a motion transfer drive,

could comprise a screw shaft (16),

incorporated within a hollow deck chassis (15);

one or more runners or travellers (17, 27),

mounted upon the drive (shaft),

and connected to a cable suspension (18, 22),

in turn run in transfer pulleys (19),

disposed in the deck chassis;

and a support structure,

such as a container 40 frame or body,

an inset gantry or side support posts.

A load support may be dedicated to a particular load category

a prime example being a (road) vehicle,

for containerised vehicle transport and storage.

Load stacking can be achieved with movable load supports, to allow aload element, such as an individual vehicle, partially or wholly tounderlie another, itself suspended overhead.

Drive motor rated power is sufficient for both load support and payload.

Provision for load support movement itself adds a weight and costpenalty—which would be aggravated if the drive were a permanent on-boardinstallation.

Thus, conveniently, the drive is portable, such as a hand-heldmotor—somewhat akin to a power tool, with support and bracing handlesand a trigger button ON/OFF and/or (electronic) variable speed controlswitch.

Whilst external power is envisaged, if not available as in remotelocations, a drive motor could be self-contained, such as abattery-powered electric motor, or run from a portable generator or anon board generator and/or battery required for other purposes, such asindependent back-up lighting or refrigeration.

A suitable proprietary portable motor is the so-called Super-Hawg model,with handle grip re-locatable between drill body sides—available perMilwaukee Drills.

A quick release, snap-action, or automatic drive-on/reverse-off, drivecoupling could be employed.

A rotary drive imparts a rotary motion to load support (re-)positioningfacilities, and which in turn can be converted into other motions, suchas linear.

Such motion conversion may be undertaken, by bespoke mechanism,internally within the load support facility.

A rotary motion may be continuous, variable speed, intermittent orincremental—say between extreme motion limits or attendant mechanismtravel, under operator control.

Intervening index positions may subdivide a mobility range, for rapidtransit to a predetermined position.

A drive motor (temporary) support cradle or carriage may be provided toease operator burden.

Such a cradle could be fixed or movable.

Thus, a portable motor could be temporarily suspended, say in a sling orharness, from an overhead gantry or container deck or roof beam.

Generally, an operator positioned at a drive station is well-placed toobserve and control motion, and to adjust drive accordingly from a safestandpoint clear of the load.

Thus precise and small incremental load adjustment may be effected withthe operator close at hand.

Travel limit and/or load contact warnings may be employed as operatorguidance.

Automatic shut-off trips may be used to Inhibit drive at extremes ofmechanical travel and/or upon over-load.

This is important for expensive and vulnerable loads such as vehicles.

The drive may incorporate a (reduction) gear box, to deliver appropriatetorque and (rotary) speed.

A motion limiter or over-run inhibitor or brake may be installed in thedrive chain, against unwanted load deck movement—such as under load deckweight—when uncoupled from a drive motor.

Drive Transmission—Gearbox

A single, multiple speed or infinitely-variable (eg variable diameterpulley and belt), gearbox may be employed.

The motor or gearbox may also feature a flywheel to maintain drivemomentum.

A clutch for selective drive disengagement may also be fitted—and couldbe triggered upon overload.

The gearbox may include a reverse ratio, or drive reversal may beachieved in the motor itself, such as by changing electricalconnections.

A drive motor could feature an integral gearbox and drive transfer, toallow power take-off at different orientations relative to one or morehand holds.

To this end, a split motor body and output gearbox may be employed—with,say, a quick-release coupling to facilitate relative positionadjustment.

A prime drive configuration is a portable hand drill, with a detachabledrive coupling, whether a chuck, drive spigot or socket, in turn poweredby a self-contained re-chargeable battery, or external supply, via anumbilical power cable link or fly lead.

Alternatively, a fluid (pneumatic or hydraulic) motor may be employed.

A compact high torque, high power, variable speed electric (drill) motorpower and speed range could be adopted.

Drive Offset

A drive motor would desirably feature an angled and/or offset driveenabling improved reach and access with greater side wall workingclearance without need for a costly universal joint, with attendantlosses and potential irregular drive transmission.

Trolley Drive

Conveniently, a load deck could be fitted with ground running wheels, toserve as a mobile load trolley—powered by a shared lift and tiltadjustment drive motor.

An end drive coupling would allow drive motor positioning at one end, soan operator need not stand beneath the load deck—an operator safetyconsideration.

Moreover, a single-ended drive location and coupling could be employedto lift either or both front and/or rear load deck ends, through a drivetransmission in the deck.

Generally, a drive motor could be coupled to any of a:

drive transfer screw

hydraulic pump

gearbox to other systems

winch to a wire or chain suspension

a lifting frame

a container roof mounted winch or transfer screw

A drive transfer mechanism is conveniently incorporated within a loaddeck, platform or ramp.

One drive transfer configuration comprises:

a rotary (spiral threaded) drive screw,

with a movable traveller, runner or carrier,

in turn coupled to a drive cable,

running around pulleys,

to a support reaction point in a container frame, strut insert orchassis,

configured selectively to draw in or pay out cable,

and so adjust drive screw,

and attendant platform disposition within a container.

Internal Friction

Internal friction within the overall mechanism may be sufficientpassively to inhibit movement when the external drive is inoperative.

Detent

That said, safety detents, latches or locks may be fitted positively torestrain unwanted movement.

Such detents may be power-actuated and triggered in conjunction withdrive enabling or initiation.

‘Cable’ Suspension

A continuous cable run may transfer lift between reaction points on acontainer frame.

In a particular construction, drive shafts are fitted at opposite sidesof a load support platform, such as within individual vehicle (wheel)ramps, and are coupled to a cable (ie rope, wire, chain, belt or strap)and pulley arrangement transferring suspension loads to a container roofand/or internal support frame or gantry.

The cable suspension can inter-couple the platform sides, for balancedmovement and positional adjustment—preserving level (or prescribed tilt)between those sides.

A suspension cable could be fitted at or adjacent each platform corner.

Corner attachment allows corrective adjustment to the platform supportplane, to keep it ‘squarely’ aligned within a container internal profileand reduce risk of jamming.

Hollow Deck

A drive shaft, shaft runners and cable run could be fitted within ahollow platform deck beam profile, such as a ‘U’ or ‘C’ section chassisbeam, preserving access for maintenance and repair.

Differential Sided Drive

Conveniently, a drive shaft on one side could be used for platformelevation, and a drive shaft on the other side for platformlowering—that is effectively an UP SIDE and a DOWN SIDE respectively forWIND UP or WIND DOWN.

According to propulsion employed, power could be supplied through anelectrical cable, pressurised air line or (hydraulic) oil feed.

Single/Double Ended Drive

This could be repeated at opposite platform ends, for platform levellingor tilt.

Alternatively, all drive could be taken at one end.

The respective shaft thread sense or orientation can allow thesefunctions with a common motor drive direction—ie without need for motorreversal—which is convenient when making continual fine adjustment forprecise load positioning.

Drive shaft thread pitch allows precise, but rapid, adjustment.

A drive coupling or interface at a corresponding (say, forward and/orrearward) end of each shaft allows selective attachment of a demountabledrive motor, with attendant controller.

With separate cable suspension at opposite ends and selective couplingto drive shaft runners or travellers, platform ends could be raised orlowered independently.

Multiple, in particular dual or twin, drive shafts could be employed forsuch independent platform end positioning.

Multiple shafts could be disposed one above the other and/or alongsideone another, for compactness of installation within a hollow deckchassis.

Shafts could be mounted, say at or adjacent their ends for freedom oftraveller movement, in support bearings secured to chassis framemembers.

Other shaft arrangements and dispositions include transverse mounting,such as in a cradle between opposite wheels of a vehicle load.

Overhead shaft disposition, say in a container roof, instead of, or inaddition to a load support platform, could be contemplated, subject topreserving ready access for demountable drive coupling.

Similarly, upright shaft disposition, say alongside a container wall,might be contrived.

A (screw) shaft provides a certain (reduction) transfer gearingaccording to screw thread pitch.

This gearing may be combined with, or substituted in whole or part by,mechanical advantage, contrived through a multiple pulley array.

Cable suspension could be used primarily for (elevation) positioning,with supplementary (rigid) suspension links, hangers or struts to hold aplatform once brought to a desired position.

A releasable connection, such as a clip-joint, may also be fittedbetween suspension cables and load platforms, to allow selective(de-)mounting.

Provision may also be made for interconnecting platforms to allowstacking.

Multiple independent sets of suspension cables may be employed to allowindependent platform lift into a desired relative disposition.

Deck Parking

Once positioned, deck platforms could be ‘parked’, say secured to acontainer wall, (lateral) support frame or side post, and/orinter-coupled, to allow re-deployment of at least some suspensioncables.

Thus multiple platform handling within a common container could beundertaken.

Individual platforms could be fitted with deck runners or wheels, toallow (re-)location and alignment with cable suspension points.

Visual markings or detents could be used to facilitate such mobileplatform positioning.

Suspension cables could themselves be carried upon runners in tracksmounted upon a container roof or internal support frame, to allowlongitudinal and/or transverse adjustment.

Container—Load Support—Drive Interface

Another aspect of the invention provides a container with a movableinternal load support, fitted with an interface or coupling fordemountable drive.

Motor Parking

A motor mounting and coupled deck drive could be fitted to receive a‘parked’ or docked drive motor only when required.

This would ease portability and free an operator to move around thecontainer to monitor movement.

A light gauge umbilical cord, coded radio or Infra Red link could beretained to operator control over the ‘parked’ drive motor.

(Re-) Movable Load Support

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a (re-) movable loadsupport, such as a platform, for installation in a container, and fittedwith an interface, or coupling, for a discrete demountable drive.

Whilst demountable drive interconnection is conveniently made atplatform ends, in principle, interaction could take place intermediatethe ends, and/or from one side.

An example would be through provision of, say, an offset gearbox or wormgear, to a winder shaft set transversely of the primary drive transfershaft.

Multi-Role Motor and/or Drive

A drive motor could be used for deck platform mobility generally,including use as a mobile trolley for lateral transit.

EMBODIMENTS

There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of theinvention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdiagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a movable load supportplatform, with a (screw shaft) transfer drive for connection to ademountable drive; a corresponding arrangement may be used at eachplatform side for balanced support and adjustment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show variant configurations of FIG. 1, with multiple (inthis case overlaid) drive transfer shafts at one or both sides;

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 2A shows a twin, selectively inter-coupled, shaft arrangement, withrespective runners secured to a common cable suspension, forco-operative powered lift or lowering action, under single demountabledrive motor, coupled to an end of one shaft, as in FIG. 1; the shaftsbeing depicted with drive transfer gears at one end disengaged;

FIG. 2B shows the arrangement of FIG. 2A, but with shafts inter-coupled,by inter-engagement of respective end transfer gears;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show perspective views of a drive such as of FIGS. 2Aand 2B, configured for double-sided operation, with selective shaftcoupling by inter-engagement of end drive transfer gears;

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 3A shows a 3-D perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 2A witha cable drive to opposite sides of a lift environment, such as a loaddeck within a container; a demountable drive being coupled to an end ofone shaft, the shafts being depicted with drive transfer gears at bothends engaged;

FIG. 3B shows the arrangement of FIG. 3A, but with shaft uncoupling bydis-engagement of transfer gears at one end;

FIGS. 4A through 4D show (un)loading sequences, with attendant load(re-) disposition, embracing elevation, tilt and lowering, along withtransverse or lateral translation or displacement; Thus, morespecifically:

FIG. 4A shows a load—in this case a vehicle—upon a mobile load supportplatform mounted upon running wheels upon a container deck, with anothervehicle load suspended by cable slings to its underlying platform fromthe container roof, allowing differential end lift and so platform andvehicle tilt;

FIG. 4B shows level elevation and lowering of longitudinally-spaced loadsupport platforms, again by respective cable suspension from a containerroof;

-   -   with drive following the scheme of FIG. 1 etc, albeit not        detailed;    -   and intervening longitudinal (optionally motorised) displacement        of another load platform running upon the container deck;

FIG. 4C shows stacking of empty deck platforms for return-emptytransport and storage, again with a common cable lift being utilised todraw successive underlying platforms into a stack from below;

FIG. 4D shows individual deck platform adjustment by an operatorapplying a demountable drive to and interface of coupling one deck end;again allowing platform elevation or lowering, level or tilted;

FIGS. 5A through 5C show perspective, cut-away, views of a containerwith movable internal load support platform, using a cable suspensionand (re-) disposition facility, such as of FIG. 1; over successivestages of platform alignment, coupling and elevation by overhead cablesuspension;

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 5A shows a load platform running upon a container deck, foralignment with overhead cable suspension;

FIG. 5B shows coupling of the aligned platform of FIG. 5A to the cablesuspension;

FIG. 5C shows elevation of the coupled platform of FIG. 5B, by operationof the cable suspension—such as by an operator with demountable drive,as depicted in FIG. 4D;

FIG. 6 shows an isometric 3-D view of a vehicle mounted upon a loadsupport platform incorporating screw drive shaft adjustment to a cablesuspension, such as of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a support platform with transversely disposedtransfer shaft;

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 7A shows a cut-away perspective view of an individual load supportplatform, such as a cradle for opposed wheels of a vehicle load, asshown in FIG. 7B;

FIG. 7B shows a longitudinal cut-away view of a container with vehicleloads upon respective wheel cradles, each with transversely disposedtransfer shafts as shown in FIG. 7A, allowing adjustment of vehicle foreand aft inclination or tilt;

FIG. 8 shows a demountable (electric) drive motor coupled to a hydraulicpump in turn linked to remote hydraulic motors for deck platformadjustment;

FIG. 9 shows drive motor offset and adjustable output shaft disposition,through relatively movable integrated motor and gearbox.

FIG. 10 shows drive to an internal lifting frame or support strut;

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict a pull-out support cradle for a demountabledrive motor at a deck end corner.

More specifically:

FIG. 11A shows a cradle pulled out from a deck internal recess ready toreceive a demountable drive motor;

FIG. 11B shows a motor installed in the deployed cradle of FIG. 11A andcoupled to a drive transfer coupling at one deck end.

Referring to the drawings

In FIG. 1 a hollow platform deck 15 incorporates a drive transfermechanism configured as a (spiral threaded) screw shaft 16.

A coupling 14 at one end of the shaft emergent from the platform isaccessible to a demountable drive 10, configured as a portable motor 11with a coupling 12.

A traveller or runner 17 is carried by the shaft 16 and coupled tosuspension cables 18, 22, running around a series of pulleys 19.

Pulleys 19 are disposed for directional transfer—that is to routelongitudinal movement, alongside shaft 16, to upright or vertical limbs,in turn secured to a support (see FIGS. 4A through 4D).

A detachable connection (not shown) may be fitted between cables andsuspension points.

This could be a simple hook and eye connector, or more elaborate clipand latching restraint, for security of load entrainment.

Corresponding detachable connection (again not shown) could be fittedbetween platform and cables—such as to allow platform relocation ofFIGS. 4A through 4D.

Cables 18, 22 run initially parallel to the shaft 16 from a commonrunner 17 at one end.

Additional runners, or cables could be employed.

Thus, for example, multiple runners, with the same or opposite sense ofthread actuation may be fitted to a common shaft, for co-operativecorresponding or opposed movement.

Cables could be allotted dedicated runners.

Cable 18 is turned upward into upright or vertical limb 21, whereascable 22 is returned back alongside shaft 16 to the opposite end andthere turned upward into upright or vertical limb 23.

Double-headed arrows indicate the bi-directional mobility of cable 18,22 movement.

Pulley and cable configurations could provide mechanical advantage orvelocity ratio change.

The shaft 16 thread pitch can also provide an internal drive gearingreflecting load lift and speed of operation considerations.

Disposition—Elevation & Tilt

Shaft 16 rotation, driven by motor 11, moves the runner 17longitudinally along the shaft 16—in one direction or the otheraccording to rotational direction—and draws cable 18 along with it, inorder to adjust platform 15 disposition.

The platform 15 internal drive transfer is thus rotary to linear.

Disposition, includes height and (longitudinal) inclination or tilt, bydifferential movement of platform 15 ends.

Lateral tilt could be effected by differential movement of platform 15corners, through adjustment of drive transfer at opposite sides.

The motor 11 is configured as a portable hand-held power tool, partiallysupported at one (forward) end, once couplings 12, 14 are secured.

Torque reaction to the motor 11 drive is resisted by operator stance,but a sliding index pin (not shown) could be incorporated in thecoupling.

Restraint

(Lateral) restraint ties or safety chains (not shown), can be fittedbetween load platform 15 and container support frame.

Similarly, a backup ‘fall limit’ tie may be employed in case of primary(cable support) failure.

Passive Motion Restraint

Generally, it is envisaged there will be sufficient internal friction toinhibit unwanted motion and load deck movement upon uncoupling ademountable drive motor.

That is ‘passive motion restraint’ is inherent in a drive transferscrew.

Nevertheless, an active limiter, mechanical latch or releasable stop maybe fitted to the drive, positively to inhibit movement absent activedrive.

Drive Reversal

Drive reversal can be undertaken simply by motor 11 reversal.

Alternatively, with transfer shafts set at opposite sides of theplatform 15 (a configuration not shown) and respective threadsorientated accordingly, one shaft can be used for one drive direction,such as elevation or UP, and the other shaft can be used for theopposite drive direction, vis lowering or DOWN.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a multiple—in this case dual—drive transfer shaftarrangement.

Thus a shaft 16 is configured generally, as in FIG. 1, except thatrunner 17 carries only a single cable for one end of platform 15—theother end being addressed by an additional transfer shaft 26.

For ease of illustration, shafts 16, 26 are depicted juxtaposed oneabove the other, but could be laterally and/or vertically offset.

The additional shaft 26 carries its own runner 27 coupled to a dedicatedcable 28 running around transfer pulley 29 to an upward limb 32,supporting the opposite end of platform 15 from cable limb 21 associatedwith shaft 16.

Respective couplings 14, 24 upon corresponding ends of shafts 16, 26provide interfaces for a common demountable drive 10, and also allowshaft 16, 26 inter-coupling, so that drive to one is transferred to theother.

When uncoupled, drive to one or other shaft 16, 26 affects theassociated end of platform 15.

If inter-coupled, drive to either shaft 16, 26 affects both shaftsequally and moves both ends of platform 15 similarly—so that platforminclination or tilt remains unchanged.

That is, if ‘level’ initially, the platform 15 remains level.

Similarly, if tilted at the outset, platform 15 remains tilted by thesame amount.

Runners 17, 27 are shown at start positions at or adjacent respectiveshaft 16, 26 ends, leaving a substantial shaft length available forrunner travel and in turn a substantial range of cable movement andattendant platform end rise or fall.

As reflected in FIGS. 4A through 4D, it is desirable to provide forplatform 15 lift over full load space availability.

FIGS. 1 and 2A, 2B address drive transfer and platform 15 lift at oneside.

Corresponding provision may be made at the other side, or a cabletransfer arrangement, such as of FIGS. 3A and 3B may be employed.

Thus from the multiple shaft configuration of FIGS. 2A, 2B, additionaltransfer cable runs 31, 33 are taken from respective runners 17, 27transversely and thence to upward limbs 35, 37.

FIGS. 4A through 4D show load support platform disposition adjustment,such as of FIGS. 1 through 3B, to a container 40.

A particular load, in this instance is a vehicle 50, shown in FIG. 4Aset upon an individual platform 44 mounted upon runners or wheels 49upon a floor 41 of the container 40.

Double-headed arrows indicate platform 44 longitudinal mobility withinthe container 40 confines and beyond through access doors 43 at one end.

Platform 44 mobility allows its positioning in alignment with overheadsuspension cables 47 from the container roof 42.

Longitudinally alongside platform 44 is another platform 45, suspendedfrom cables 48, at a prescribed inclination or tilt, to create anunderlying load space upon the floor 41, which could accommodate, say,the nose of another vehicle, or another type of load.

In this way, (vehicle) load mixing, inter-nesting and stacking could beundertaken.

FIG. 4B shows mobility of a floor based platform 46 between suspendedlevel platforms 44, 45, with a view to underslung suspension andstacking of empty platforms, as shown in FIG. 4C.

That is, successive individual platforms are brought, in turn, intoalignment with overhead suspension cables, coupled to the cables,lifted, and secured to permanent stays (not shown).

Such stays could be additional cables, links or latching detents to acontainer or internal support and bracing frame.

Another platform is brought underneath a lifted platform, for repetitionof the lift cycle.

Provision could be made for direct platform inter-coupling, so thatcable suspension to an uppermost platform is transferred to lowerunderlying platforms.

FIG. 4C shows a stack 52 of empty platforms upon the floor 41 alongsidea corresponding suspended stack 53.

FIG. 4D shows an individual suspended platform 64 coupled to ademountable drive 61 carried by an operator 60 standing upon the floor41.

It is apparent that the operator is well-placed to monitor platform andattendant load disposition.

FIGS. 5A through 5C show a variant of FIGS. 4A through 4D for acontainer 70 with a load support platform 71 of variable configuration.

More specifically, a platform 71 is of open lattice frame constructionwith longitudinal runners bridged selectively by transverse beams 72.

The location and extent of platform load support surface in-fill isadjustable according to support load requirements and to allow partialintrusion of other loads to facilitate load inter-nesting and stacking.

Removable infill slats and tilting deck panels may be employed to matcha load—such as a vehicle wheelbase and wheel track, whilst admitting aprotruding underlying load, such as a vehicle roof.

Thus a roof of a vehicle upon the container floor could fit betweenwheels of an overlying vehicle, upon a platform (cable) suspended abovethe floor.

FIG. 6 depicts a fully suspended vehicle load 80 upon spaced wheel ramps84, with infill panels for localised wheel support.

Ramps 84 are carried between longitudinal ‘U’-section chassis members85, housing respective drive transfer shafts 86, runners 87 and cables89.

Vehicle 80 is (un)loaded by driving over the ramps 84 once the platformis resting upon a container floor (not shown).

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a transversely disposed transfer shaft arrangementwithin individual load support platforms.

Rather than a straight aligned coupling with a demountable drive a rightangled connection, shown in broken lines, could be used by fitting atransfer gearbox (not shown) to a shaft end.

This allows an operator to stand to one forward or rearward side of aplatform and preserves full load platform transverse span.

Component elements correspond to those of other embodiments and arebelieved generally self-explanatory, so will not be detailed.

In principle, the arrangement of FIG. 7A could be inverted, with atransverse transfer shaft located in a chassis, above a (say, vehicle)load, such as in a container roof head space, and with depending cablesto a load support platform or cradle.

Demountable drive access would be overhead or through a drive chain (notshown) to an access at container sides.

Drive transfer might even be in a container floor, to an emergent cabledrive running up to transfer pulleys in a container roof and thencedownward to a load support platform.

That said, transfer drive within a load support platform itself,represents a convenient compact format.

FIG. 8 reflects a facility to apply a portable drive motor to chargeon-board fluid (hydraulic or pneumatic) actuators, in this case struts91, via pump 90.

FIG. 9 reflects a facility to introduce drive to otherwise inaccessiblepick-up points at deck platform side and corner extremities.

Thus, an angled or off-set drive coupling 92 may be employed.

FIG. 10 depicts on-board transfer between inset lift struts 94 and driveapplication to roof-mounted actuators, such as winches 97.

Thus, struts 94 may house internal cable or chain lifts 96 connected toa drive transfer shaft 95.

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict an optional pull-out support cradle 98 for ademountable drive motor at a deck end corner—to relieve the supportburden upon an operator and to help brace torque reaction.

An operator could temporarily leave a drive station, yet the drivecoupling 99 be preserved, pending operator return to help brace andsupervise drive take up.

‘Mix and Match’ Features

Generally, in the embodiments, where feasible and appropriate, featuresmay be selectively ‘mixed and matched’ to suit circumstances—albeit itis not feasible to describe every such feature combination.

Claim Layout

Bracketed words or phrases alongside claim numbering are for ease ofinformal reference—and so not part of claim meaning, interpretation orscope.

COMPONENT LIST

-   10 demountable drive-   11 motor-   12 coupling-   14 coupling-   15 platform deck-   16 drive transfer shaft-   17 traveller/runner-   18 (suspension) cable-   19 pulley-   21 limb-   22 (suspension) cable-   23 limb-   24 coupling-   26 (upper) drive shaft-   27 traveller/runner-   28 (suspension) cable-   29 pulley-   31 transfer cable-   32 upward limb-   33 transfer cable-   35 upward limb-   37 upward limb-   40 container-   41 floor-   42 roof-   43 end door-   44 platform-   45 platform-   46 platform-   47 cable suspension-   48 cable suspension-   49 runners/wheels-   50 vehicle load-   52 platform stack-   53 platform stack-   60 operator-   61 demountable drive-   64 platform-   70 container-   71 platform-   72 (re-)movable transverse deck beams-   80 load-   84 paired ramps-   85 chassis members-   86 drive transfer shafts-   87 runners-   89 cables-   90 pump-   91 strut-   92 angled/off-set drive coupling-   94 upright strut-   95 transfer shaft-   96 internal cable/chain lift-   97 winch-   98 cradle-   99 drive coupling

1-27. (canceled)
 28. A movable load support platform or deck, with aseverable drive motor coupling, incorporates a motion transfer drivesuch as a rotary screw shaft, one or more runners or travelers, mountedupon the shaft, and connected to a cable suspension; and a supportstructure, such as a container frame or body, an inset gantry or sidesupport posts; characterised by said transfer drive being incorporatedwithin a hollow deck chassis, with said cable suspension in turn run intransfer pulleys, disposed in the deck chassis.
 29. A movable loadplatform of claim 1, with cable suspension configured to allow deckdisplacement by cable sway within adjustable constraints, such as tiesor chains.
 30. A movable platform of claim 1, with individual transferdrives for respective deck motions and/or orientations.
 31. A movableplatform of claim 1, with individual drive couplings for respectivemotion transfer drives.
 32. A movable platform of claim 1, with multipledrive couplings at a common accessible deck end, to allow selectivedrive connection for desired deck movement and orientation.
 33. Amovable platform of claim 1, with transfer drives and associatedcouplings allocated to longitudinal and/or lateral tilt by raising orlowering an end and/or side.
 34. A movable platform of claim 1, with adetachable mounting, such as a clip fastener, for another deck, to allowinter-deck coupling and mounting, in a mutually overlaid stack.
 35. Amovable platform of claim 1 with suspension cables mounted upon runnersin a container roof or internal support frame to allow longitudinaland/or transverse adjustment.
 36. A movable platform of claim 1 withdeck parking to supporting structure to free suspension cables for usewith another deck.
 37. A movable platform of claim 1 with a supportcradle for a demountable drive motor.
 38. A movable platform of claim 1with releasable coupling between deck and cable suspension.
 39. Amovable platform of claim 1, with removable deck elements, upon anopen-lattice framework, allowing selective local infill, say to supportroad vehicle wheels, whilst preserving between wheel load depth, toaccommodate an underlying vehicle, with its roof disposed betweenoverlying vehicle front and rear wheels.
 40. A freight container ofclaim 1, fitted with a freely suspended platform.
 41. A demountabledrive, configured for a load support platform, movable within atransport and storage container; the drive comprising a demountabledrive motor, a detachable coupling, a drive transfer mechanism, such asa rotary screw shaft, incorporated in the platform, with supportelements, such as a suspension cable and pulley array, disposed betweenplatform and container.